The ligand, the metal and the 'Holey'-host: Synthesis, structural and magnetic characterisation of Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) metal-organic frameworks incorporating 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine.

We report herein the single crystal structures of four metal-organic framework complexes incorporating the 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine ligand, H(2)dcbp: alpha-[Co(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], 1; beta-[Co(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], 2, [Ni(dcbp)(H(2)O)(2)], and [[Mn(dcbp)].1/2DEF], 4 (DEF = diethylformamide). In each complex the ligand is deprotonated giving neutral species with 1:1 stoichiometry that form three-dimensional coordination polymers.